The lobby renovation is almost finished! The grand staircase connects the lobby and the second floor together for a cohesive look and feel. New lobby doors will soon be installed. We are working on the new lounge area which will be furnished with soft seating and will include collaborative work areas. James Center tenants will enjoy this space as an informal gathering location outside of their regular James Center office space.

The new conference center on the 2nd floor was completed in October. This amenity includes a board room and a multipurpose room that can be configured in various formats. It is outfitted with an AV system, a catering kitchen, as well as adjacent new restrooms. The renovation of the second-floor corridor, the Skybridge and the “mirror hall” is expected to be completed in January 2019. These thoroughfares that connect all three buildings will be transformed into spaces that are inviting, rather than just a means to an end.

Conceptual planning for a facelift to the Atrium is underway. Look for work to begin during the first quarter of 2019. Stay tuned!

New Restaurants and Retail

Sesame Sushi and The Pit and The Peel are open! They join the Arby’s in the Atrium to provide James Center tenants a variety of meal options. We are preparing the former Wendy’s space in One James Center to welcome a fourth restaurant (TBD) with several improvements, notably the additions of common area bathrooms and a patio area for outdoor seating.

Experimac will open soon in the Atrium! They buy, sell, trade and repair Apple products. Everyone will benefit from this convenient location.

Wi-Fi

We are underway with the installation of a Wi-Fi network for our tenants and guests. It will provide tenants a seamless internet connection in the first-floor lobbies of all buildings, Atrium and common areas. The installation of this Wi-Fi network is following the renovation sequencing.

Improved Cell Service

We have partnered with Verizon to install a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) throughout James Center. The DAS will increase mobile coverage to Verizon customers working in or visiting the property’s interior spaces, including the parking deck. The interior of James Center will essentially become a cell site. This upgrade will increase coverage in the buildings and in elevators and will offload capacity from Verizon’s external wireless network.

Exterior façade cleaning and restoration

This project was completed on all three buildings this past September. The buildings now glisten under the sun!

New Roofs

The roofs on Two James Center, Three James Center and the Atrium have been replaced with light color reflective surfaces which significantly reduce the surface temperature. Cooler surface temperatures reduce the workload placed on the HVAC systems, requiring less energy to operate. We are adding insulation to increase the thermal resistance, providing energy savings. The roof on One James Center was replaced in recent years.

Elevator Modernization

The three-year project to modernize all elevators began this Fall. Three elevators are currently in process. All elevators will be greatly improved in terms of ride quality, speed, and door operation. The finishes will be updated with interior glass panels, new flooring, LED lighting and stainless steel.

Garage Lighting Upgrade

The existing lighting has been replaced with LED lights that will result in a brighter indoor atmosphere. Motion sensors and dimmers will provide better control through a software program, resulting in energy savings without compromising safety. The fixture replacement has been completed and will soon be commissioned with the software controls.

Lighting Enhancements

To enhance James Center’s prominence, we installed a three-tier LED lighting system at the top of Two James Center. The lights are programmed through software and provide a wide range of color options and patterns.

HVAC System Upgrades

Before the summer weather sets in, major components of the HVAC system will be upgraded. New chillers, refurbished air handler units, and digital controls will improve comfort, reliability and reduce energy consumption.

Security Systems Enhancements

We are expanding and upgrading our CCTV video recording equipment with new technology to allow the system, access controls, and emergency intercoms to be controlled by a single software platform.

Energy Star

Energy Star is a voluntary U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. With each property improvement, we are closer to becoming certified. The Energy Star Certification demonstrates to our tenants’ clients that they are environmentally conscious. Our tenants can contribute toward this goal in their daily operations, by taking steps such as turning off lights when spaces are unoccupied and not using space heaters (which are a prohibited safety hazard).